CBU students support local charities

SYDNEY — Student leaders at Cape Breton University have announced the donation of $15,000 to four community-based charities.

Capers Helping Capers: The Orange Initiative launched in the summer of 2011 and each year the students union hosts various activities within the community to help raise moneys. Through the support of CBU students and the community, $2,500 was donated to each of the following charities: Caleb’s Courage; Autism NSCape Breton Region; Transition House Association; and the LOVE Program.

New fundraising projects will kick off following the no-contact restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Traditionally, events have included community barbecues, car washes and a five-kilometre fun run, followed by the annual Capers Helping Capers golf tournament in August.

The new students union executive took office on May 1 and announced its selection of charities. Partnerships will be expanded during the 2020-2021 academic year to include Two Rivers Wildlife Park, Cape Breton Youth Project, Fortress of Louisbourg Association and the Society for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians.

“Capers Helping Capers is an initiative that the students union is proud to be a part of. The initiative encourages project-based volunteerism and student engagement in the community. We are happy to continue our work with Capers Helping Capers and we have set our goal at $10,000. By continuing this program, we will be strengthening our involvement in the community, which will be a major focus for the students union moving forward,” union president Amrinder Singh said in a news release.